Zulfi Bukhari has nothing to with PTI, says Faisal Vawda

KARACHI: Responding to criticism on his party over a blacklisted individual’s “escape”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda on Wednesday said that the party has nothing to with chief Imran Khan’s close friend Zulfi Bukhari, ARY News reported.

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“I don’t think I should defend or speak against him, he is not (a part of PTI) and has nothing to do with party’s politics,” Faisal Vawda told ARY News on Tuesday.

He was of the view that PTI chief Imran Khan cannot use his influence for removing his name off Exit Control List (ECL) so only authorities are answerable for the whole episode.

“It is the interior ministry and the interim government which is responsible for this act (granting one time exemption to Zulfi Bukhari),” said Vawda.

He, however, added that Zulfi is not answerable to authorities in Pakistan as he is a British citizen.

About the case against Bukhari in NAB, he said that if law dictates his arrest, then he should be arrested and none from the PTI will come to his rescue.

Imran Khan’s close friend Zulfi Bukhari flew with him to Saudi Arabia on Monday despite being on the Exit Control List (ECL) as he is wanted for an inquiry by by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Zulfi Bukhari is accused of owning offshore companies and having assets beyond his known sources of income and has dodged several notices from the anti-graft authority.

A letter written by Section Officer ECL to Director General Immigration and Passports says that Ministry of Interior has decided to grant one time permission to Zulfi Bukhari for performance of Umrah.

The permission was reportedly granted within hours after Bukhari was not allowed to fly with Khan for Umrah by FIA and immigration staff.